McCallum's Orchestra program began in 1953 with the opening of the school and has a history of accomplishments under the direction of highly qualified and dynamic orchestra directors. Today the program continues to grow with more than 100 students participating in three performing orchestras, a double bass ensemble, and, with the support of the Austin Chamber Music Center educational outreach, several chamber groups and ensembles. Director Ricky Pringle, who previously taught in the Houston suburb of the Woodlands, is in his eighth year with the McCallum orchestras. Under his leadership, his string orchestras have consistently received top scores at UIL concert and sight-reading in both string and full orchestra competitions.

One of the signature accomplishments in the past seven years of Mr. Pringle's work at the Fine Arts Academy has been the wonderful collaborations of orchestras and string ensembles with other Academy students/directors in other strands, such as dance, theatre, and vocal music. The Chamber Orchestra with McCallum's combined choirs have performed masterworks including Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, Menotti's Christmas opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors and most recently, Schubert's Mass in G. The outstanding Chamber Orchestra will once again participate in the Neapolitan Music Society's Master Class, The Lost Music of Italy with a performance in a major Austin venue.

The McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchesra program receives invitations to perform at other venues with acclaimed programs like a Menotti production at Texas State University and a performance at Carnegie Hall. Once again, the McCallum Orchestra performed in New York participating in Carnegie Hall's MasterWorks Series.

The McCallum Orchestra explores other facets of music besides classical. Last year the orchestra performed with Austin's favorite cover band, The Eggmen at the Paramount Theatre. It was such a popular event, the orchestra plans to make it an annual event.

Spring Mvt. 1, Vivaldi
Recorded April 3, 2009, Dell Hall, The Long Center for the Performing, Austin

Largo - G. B. Pergolesi, Concerto per Violino, archi e continuo
Recorded November 9, 2008, Dell Hall, The Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin

Credo – Schubert, Mass in G
Recorded June 13, 2009, Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, New York

I am the Walrus, Lennon/McCartney
Recorded February 21, 2009, Paramount Theatre, Austin